Our Favorite Green Paint Colors

Believe it or not, color has a serious impact on our brains. While many people (85%) say that color is the main reason for ultimately purchasing particular items, the colors we surround ourselves with on a daily basis really affect the way we feel. Green, for instance, has long been associated with new life and refreshment and also with peace and security. These are feelings we want more and more to associate with our homes in such a tech-based, fast-paced world. And it’s one of the reasons that green paint is making a comeback in American homes.

What Are the Most Popular Green Paint Colors?

The variety found within the most popular green paint colors may surprise you. Everything from subtle calming tones to darker, more dominant green paints are finding their way into kitchens, offices, dens, living rooms, and pantries everywhere. And on either end of the color spectrum, they’re making a big impact.

Some of these popular and trending green paint colors do not shout at you. Pastel, muted, even lighter grey-toned greens are good choices for cabinet colors—think sage or mint. They can still make a statement but will also have longevity in your home and kitchen style. Gentle greens like this bring some natural freshness and a soothing environment into the home and still play very well as a neutral—particularly when they lean toward being green-grey paint.

One such color is Green Blue by Farrow & Ball. It’s soft and subtle but still pops in this laundry, paired with white subway tile backsplash and a fun accent floor.

But for all the positives I could give you in terms of soft and subtle greens, I am someone who loves a bold, deep color. Even for a kitchen.

This is why one of my favorite green paint colors is Salamander by Benjamin Moore.

It’s a deeply saturated green that emotes security and confidence. Deeper shades of green paint such as this are solidly grounding and equally motivating, which makes it great for an at-home office or den, such as the one pictured above. It would even look beautiful in the right kitchen, paired with white or more natural hues, as seen in this custom home office.

Salamander is a fairly safe choice, as far as trends are concerned, while a bolder, more vivid green paint like Calke Green by Farrow & Ball makes a stronger statement in terms of the ebb and flow of popularity. It would be beautiful paired with a busier, nature-based wallpaper, too, for ultimate impact in a happy, refreshing space. Consider utilizing a smaller area to make that statement, such as a bathroom, if you’re nervous about such a bold green paint choice.

How Do I Know Which Green Paint to Use?

How to choose the right green paint is sometimes a matter of context. As I mentioned to Better Homes & Gardens on the subject, you really should paint large samples of your green paint options in your space to see how it plays in the light of the room, as well as how well it will complement furniture and other design choices. Taking this important step in choosing green paint will help mitigate paint choice anxiety.

For instance, matching green paint to an existing wallpaper tone is a perfect way to ensure you’re choosing the right color of green paint for your kitchen or bathroom. You could also pull color from existing art, heirlooms on display, or even what you may see out of the window(s) in your space. And don’t forget that lighting also has a big impact on choosing the right green paint because—as with all colors—green will play different roles in different light settings. It can pull more blue, more brown, or even appear as a green-grey paint depending on the natural and manufactured light in the space.

But remember, along with all these contextual cues, you want to consider the emotion you want your space to evoke before choosing the right green paint. As mentioned above, the range of green paint is far-reaching, and each tone along the spectrum will prompt a certain mood. Green-gray paint is excellent for a more calm, airy feeling. Bolder, moodier colors are great for more intimate or motivating settings. Choose your green paint accordingly.

And just another note to add—if you are looking for one of those subtle greens, you should always search out paint samples with the word “grey” in them as they can often appear green when painted in large areas and in certain lighting, like in the room below. French Gray by Farrow & Ball doesn’t advertise its green qualities by name, but they’re there and undoubtedly beautiful. So don’t be afraid to extend your search terms when looking for the right green paint colors for your home.

Is Green a Good Kitchen Color?

Green can be a beautiful paint color for the kitchen. Most people tend toward the safety of a muted, pastel green, which makes sense. It’s a gentle way to introduce color beyond the less-exciting neutrals of white, plain grey, or even greige. It has that peaceful impact and offers a natural sense of calm.

I, on the other hand, often appreciate the striking influence of a deep green like Salamander, even in the kitchen or pantry. Those unapologetic moments of embracing an earthy, refreshing green paint color are exciting at the same time as they ground us in the right space and home.

Another gorgeous green paint color is Studio Green by Farrow & Ball. It is a favorite of my friend Caitlin Creer, designer and co-founder of Foundation Goods. It’s a well-balanced green with a dark and rich tone, great for a fun and endearing kitchen personality.

The one thing I would be cautious of when picking green paint for the kitchen is a more “pure” or primary green. This type of grassier green might be overwhelming in a room as large as a kitchen and not read as elevated or purposeful as one of the greens trending on either end of the spectrum from muted to bold.

TRENDING: Our Favorite White Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors

What Other Colors Go with Green?

Because individual shades of green vary so greatly, you’ll want to of course consider your exact green paint before deciding on other finishing options like wood stains, hardware, and complementary paint colors. That said, many shades of green can read as neutrals when put in the right space, with the right light, and with the right complementary finishing touches. Green gray paint and more pastel, muted greens are particularly easy to play off as elevated, foundational colors rather than conspicuous or loud ones, making them incredibly versatile paint options.

You can’t go wrong when choosing a natural wood stain or simple white accents to partner with your green paint color. It will always be a beautifully safe bet in a kitchen or other space. Additionally, hardware finishes that fit with greens can range anywhere from polished nickel to brushed brass, matte black, and even chrome. I’ve also used white ceramic, clear glass, and even monochromatic painted wood drawer pulls and handles to great effect in various green-painted spaces.

The Psychology Behind Green Paint Colors

As discussed above, the power of green paint in our homes is immense, and harnessing that power by learning which emotions we can evoke simply by painting a room or custom cabinetry a particular shade of green is key to wielding it properly.

Here is a quick guide to some basic color psychology. Applying this information can help you when choosing green paint colors for your home.

• Bright, pure greens: new life, energy
• Olive greens: earthiness, can go regal or rustic
• Deep, blue-ish greens: motivation, energetic grounding
• Lively but light blue greens: cleanliness, freshness
• Paler, grey greens: peace, safety

Knowing this can help guide you as you match your personal aesthetic to your interior design choices regarding popular green paint colors. For instance, if you are drawn to a farmhouse-style interior but want to incorporate color, you will likely want to embrace a lighter green instead of traditional white. You could also bring some deep, blue-ish greens that would beautifully align with other farmhouse elements such as natural wood, organic textures, and matte black accent pieces.

Trending Green Paint Colors of 2023

Light green and green-gray paint colors continue their popularity in 2023 and into the coming years, and for good reason. They are a soothing and gentle influence on our lives, bringing nature into our homes and steering us toward more grounded spaces.

These popular green paint colors also happen to align nicely with other interior trends of 2023 and beyond, including organic modern design, the cottagecore aesthetic, and almost anything Scandinavian at heart.

Here are a few additional trending paint colors of 2023 to inspire your next room update!

Looking for more inspiration and beautiful interiors that feature these popular green paint colors? You can see more of my design projects—kitchens, bathrooms, built-ins, and furniture—on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Looking for help with your custom cabinetry and layout design? Contact me here!